As temperatures soared, Wee Waarians beat the scorching heat on Australia Day by again hosting the town’s ceremony at breakfast time.
Water activities proved to be popular on the long weekend – from making a splash at the Wee Waa Memorial Pool to swimming or skiing at Yarrie Lake – locals and visitors soaked up any chance to stay cool.
Wee Waa’s Australia Day service organiser Julie Dowleans OAM said ‘inclusion’ was the main message she hoped to convey at this year’s community celebration.
“It’s important that we all feel included,” said Julie.
On the topic of inclusion, the service was of special significance to the Cronje family who were experiencing Australia Day here for the first time. Originally from South Africa, Geraldine Cronje said she was pleased to attend the friendly Wee Waa event with her two daughters Mia and Isabelle and the family was loving Aussie life so far since moving to the district for work at the Namoi Valley Christian School.
“It’s good they could be here,” commented Julie.
The Wee Waa Community Band set a positive and welcoming vibe at the event too, which was held in the cool green grounds of the Presbyterian Church. Inside the hall, Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens addressed the crowd, attendees waved Aussie flags and enjoyed catching up outside after the ceremony, where a delicious barbecue breakfast was offered before the mercury started rising.
“We have a nice crowd, so that’s really good and lucky there is a breeze because it’s going to be 45 degrees today,” added Julie.
“We always try to have a breakfast event because it is always such a hot day and we try to get it over early before it does get too hot.
“It’s a new venue this year and we have a new group cooking breakfast – our Wee Waa Senior Panthers Football Club.
“I think we’re really proud of what we’ve done this morning. It’s different, but we’re very proud of what we’ve done.
“We feel very lucky to have the mayor Darrell Tiemens here this morning. He’s now got to go back to Narrabri for the official proceedings in there, and I think they’ve got eight for the citizenship ceremony – so he’s got a big day and it’s great he could be here.
“We’re very thankful to Narrabri Shire Council and to the team at the information centre, especially Sharlee Bruce, who was in charge of organising as well.”
Julie also congratulated the ‘diverse range of people’ who were nominated and recognised with awards on Australia Day.
An award-recipient herself, in 2020, Julie was honoured for her contribution to the community in Queen’s Birthday Honours List and awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service.
Julie said it was wonderful to acknowledge the work of local heroes and praised the five nominees for the Narrabri Shire Citizen of the Year title – Tanya Charlton, Will Childs, Pat Hlad, Dennis Lowder OAM and Michelle Wheeler.
Julie encouraged people to submit nominations and shine a light on the dedicated locals quietly working away and giving back to our communities.
Later that day, Michelle Wheeler was announced the winner of the top honour, described as a deeply community-minded individual whose kindness, leadership and generosity have made a lasting impact across Narrabri.
“We also watched on TV the Australia Day Awards from Canberra and the wide diverse range of people that accepted awards was just amazing,” added Julie.
“There was an astronaut – Katherine Bennell-Pegg – she was named Australian of the Year.
“And then there was Nedd Brockmann, isn’t he great, he ran across Australia and helps the homeless – he was the Young Australian of the Year.
“Watching them all, every one of them, it was just so inspiring,” she said.
Julie concluded her interview with the Wee Waa News by expressing her gratitude to everyone who helped to make the Australia Day community celebration possible.
“I just want to thank everyone today for coming and for making it a really nice, lovely morning, especially thank you to the Wee Waa Community Band and the Wee Waa Senior Panthers, because it was a big job for them this morning.
“And hopefully we can get some more community groups next year.
“Also, I’ve been really pushing this message on 2MaxFm radio – in this hot weather, please check on your neighbours, check on your friends, check on the elderly, make sure they’re okay.
“And if you’re looking for somewhere inside that’s cool – the libraries have air conditioning, they have nice chairs and they’ve got books.”
